Axle nut wrench



Jan. 3, 1967 L. K. JUNEAU 3,295,399

AXLE NUT WRENCH Filed June 11, 1965 32 INVENTOR X 24 LEW/S K.JUNEAU BY 5M6 ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,295,399 AXLE NUT WRENCH Lewis K. Juneau, Moreauville, La. 71355 Filed June 11, 1965, Ser. No. 463,205 4 Claims. (Cl. 8174) This invention relates to a wrench of the type used by mechanics for removing polygonal axle nuts from axles which are located within a wheel hub capable of rotating about the axle.

More particularly, this invention pertains to those nut wrenches which are inserted between the inner surface of the hub and a single face of a polygonal nut. A portion of the wrench projects outside the hub to abut the studs which normally project axially from an axial face of the hub. As the hub is rotated about the fixed axle, the nut is thus caused to turn so that it may be removed from the axle.

Wrenches of this general type are known in the prior art. For example, one is shown and described in United States Patent 2,512,978 which issued on June 27, 1950, to Oswald A. Steinrnann. The present invention, unlike Steinmanns, is devoted to a wrench of this type which has a plurality of nut-engaging members which are of different sizes to accommodate hubs and axle nuts of varying dimensions. Also, this invention is devoted to a wrench capable of use in removing nuts which are spaced at varying distances inside their respective hubs.

It is an object of this invention to provide a simply constructed and compact wrench capable of removing nuts from axles which are surrounded by relatively rotatable wheel hubs.

Another object is to provide such a wrench which is not limited to use with only one size'nut and hub, but which may be used for removing nuts of varying sizes which are located inside hubs of Varying dimensions. The employment of four different nutengaging portions, each capable of operable insertion in a hub, satisfies this particular object.

A further object is to provide a wrench of the type described which may be adjusted for use in extracting nuts which are located at different depths within their hubs.

These and other objects are achieved by the wrench described herein, in which there are the following elements: a connector block; a pair of mutually perpendicular elongated members slidably and non-rotatably mounted in the connector block; nut-engaging portions at both ends of the elongated members, each of the nutengaging portions having a flat lateral face parallel to its respective elongated member and an outwardly curved surface opposite to the fiat lateral face, the curved surface having for its axis of curvature a line substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of its respective elongated member. With this structure, a nutengaging portion of one elongated member is inserted within a wheel hub so that the curved surface contacts the inner surface of the hub and the flat surface lies adjacent a side of the polygonal axle nut. The other elongated member is then slidably adjusted to encounter the studs which project from the end of the hub.

A complete understanding of the invention in a preferred embodiment is shown in the attached drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates the Wrench of the present invention in its operative position with the nut-engaging portion .inside a wheel hub;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the wrench;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the wrench, partially broken to illustrate details of construction of the sleeve which serve as a connector block;

ICC

FIG. 4 shows side elevational views of the two elongated members with the nut-engaging portions on their ends; and

FIGS. 5 and 6 are views taken along the lines 5-5 and 66 in FIG. 4, showing representative end views of the nut-engaging portions of the wrench.

In FIG. 3, the overall construction of the Wrench it self is best illustrated. It includes a connector block 2 which in this preferred embodiment is a tubular sleeve. A lower elongated bar member 4 is axially slidable through the sleeve, and non-rotatably retained between the inner surface of the sleeve 2 and the upper elongated member 6.

The opposite side walls 8 and 10 of the sleeve have a pair of aligned apertures which slidably and non-rotatably receive the upper elongated bar member 6. Thus, the members 4 and 6 are mounted mutually perpendicularly or transversely to each other in the sleeve-likeconnector block 2.

Both ends of each of the elongated bar members 4 and 6 carry nut-engaging portions designated 16, 18, 20 and 22. These nut-engaging members are of different sizes so they may be used by a mechanic who encounters axle nuts hubs which are of varying sizes. Their general configuration is represented in the end view of member 16 shown in FIG. 5. Each includes an outwardly curved surface 24 which is adapted to conform to the inner wall of a hub such as that shown at 26 in FIG. 1. Opposite to the outwardly curved surface 24 is a flat lateral surface 23 which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated member 4 to which it is attached. This fiat lateral surface is adapted to contact or lie adjacent to a single side of a polygonal axle nut such as the hexagonal nut designated 30 in FIG. 1. The curved surface 24 is essentially an arc of a circle when viewed in transverse cross section, with its axis of curvature lying along a line substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of its respective elongated member. For example, thi radius of curvature would be a line extending through point 32 in FIG. 5.

Each of the nut-engaging portions 16, 18, 20 and 22 is larger along at least one dimension than is the elongated member to which it is attached. This prevents removal of the elongated member from the connector block 2. As shown, the vertical dimensions are greater than corresponding dimensions in the block 2. This enlarged vertical dimension is shown in FIG. 4, and its relationship to the connector block 2 will be understood by reference to FIG. 3.

The wrench of the present invention is well adapted for use in vehicles which have full floating or semi-floating axles. Its use with a full floating axle is shown in FIG. 1. Here, it will be noted that prior to use of the wrench, the hub cap has been removed and the conventional inner floating rear axle has been withdrawn from the axle housing. As used herein, the word axle is meant to include the nut-carrying axle housing such as that shown at 34 in FIG. 1. The usual studs 36 project axially from the axial face 38 of the wheel hub 26.

After the inner axle has been removed, the wheel, tire and hub are freely revolvable about the axle 34. A mechanic then selects the proper nut-engaging portion 16, 18, 20 or 22 which fits the particular hub and nut configuration of the vehicle. When the distance between the nut and inner surface .of the hub is small, the nut-engaging portion 16 shown in FIG. 5, is used. If the distance between the nut and the hub is greater, a larger nut-engaging portion such as 22, shown in FIG. 6 is used. For intermediate sizes, the nut-engaging portions 18 and 20 are used.

The selected nut-engaging portion is then inserted within the hub 26 so that its curved surface 24 lies against 3 the inner wall of the hub and the flat lateral face 28 lies against one side of the nut 30.

A particular advantage of the structure shown herein is that the depth within the hub to which the nut-engaging member is inserted may be precisely adjusted. This enables the present wrench to be used both when the nuts 30 are relatively close to the axial face 38 of the hub, and when they are spaced far inside the hub. Also, this construction is advantageous when the axle structure employs two nuts, one an adjusting nut and the other a lock nut. In that instance, the wrench is used first for removing the lock nut and then for removing the adjusting nut. Without the sliding structure of this wrench, such removal would be most inconvenient or impossible.

After the nut-engaging portion 16 is properly located within the hub, the connector block 2 is slidably moved toward the hub until the elongated member 6 lies against one of the hub studs 36. When it is so located, the member 6 acts as an arm. The hub 26 is then rotated, carrying with it the wrench and the nut 30. The axle 34 remains stationary.

In a like manner, the present wrench may be used for reassembling the vehicle axle and wheel assembly, by rotating the hub in the opposite direction.

In addition to its convenience and adaptability, this wrench is a very compact tool. The bars 4 and 6 need be no wider than 1.5 inches and their length neednt be in excess of 7 inches.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that this wrench is a most useful, convenient and compact tool which is capable of use with a wide variety of vehicles having different axle and wheel structures. The abovelisted objects of the invention are satisfied by the invention of this relatively simply constructed tool. Although only one embodiment has been shown, it is obvious that this wrench may be modified in many ways to accomplish substantially the same results in the same manner. Therefore, this invention is not meant to be limited to the sole disclosed embodiment but to anything which falls within the bounds of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A wrench for removing a polygonal axle nut from an axle located within a rotatable wheel hub comprising:

(a) a connector block,

(b) a pair of mutually perpendicular elongated members slidably and non-rotatably mounted in said con nector block,

() nut-engaging portions at both ends of each of said elongated members, each of said nut-engaging portions having a fiat lateral face parallel to the longitudinal axis of its respective one of said elongated members, and an outwardly curved surface opposite to said fiat lateral face, said curved surface having for its axis of curvature a line substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of its respective longitudinal member; whereby one of said nut-engaging portions may be inserted within a wheel hub wherein said outwardly curved surface contacts the inner surface of said hub and said flat lateral face lies adjacent to a side of a polygonal axle nut.

2. A wrench for removing a polygonal axle nut from an axle located within a relatively rotatable wheel hub, comprising;

(a) a tubular sleeve having a pair of aligned apertures in its opposite side walls,

(b) a lower elongated member slidable axially and non-rotatable in said sleeve,

(c) an upper elongated member slidable and non-r0- tatable in said pair of aligned apertures along an axis perpendicular to said upper elongated member,

(d) nut-engaging members at both ends of each of said elongated members, said nut-engaging members being larger along at least one dimension than their respective elongated members to prevent removal of said elongated members from said sleeve, each of said nut-engaging members having a flat lateral face parallel to the longitudinal axis of its members and an outwardly curved surface opposite to said flat lateral face, each said curved surface having for its axis of curvature a line substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of its respective said longitudinal member; whereby one of said nut-engaging members may be inserted within a wheel hub wherein said outwardly curved surface contacts the inner surface of the hub and said fiat lateral face lies adjacent to a side of a polygonal axle nut.

3. A wrench for removing a polygonal axle nut from an axle located within a relatively rotatable wheel hub, comprising;

(a) a tubular sleeve having a pair of aligned apertures in its opposite side walls,

(b) an upper elongated member slidable and non-rotatable in said pair of aligned apertures along an axis transverse to the central axis of said sleeve,

(c) a lower elongated member passing axially through said sleeve and slidably and non-rotatably retained between an inner surface of said sleeve and said upper elongated member,

(d) nut-engaging members at both ends of said elongated members, said nut-engaging members being larger along at least one dimension than their respective elongated members to prevent removal of said elongated members from said sleeve, each of said nut-engaging members having a flat lateral face parallel to the longitudinal axis of its respective one of said elongated members, and an outwardly curved surface opposite to said flat lateral face, each said curved surface having for its radius of curvature a line substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of its respective said longitudinal member; whereby one of said nut-engaging members may be inserted within a wheel hub wherein said outwardly curved surface contacts the inner surface of the hub and said flat lateral face lies adjacent to a side of a polygonal axle nut.

4. A wrench for removing a polygonal nut from an axle located within a rotatable wheel hub, comprising;

(a) a connector block,

(b) an upper elongated member slidably and non-rotatably mounted in said connector block,

(c) a lower elongated member perpendicular to said upper elongated member and slidably and non-rotatably mounted in said connector block,

(d) nut-engaging portions at both ends of each of said elongated members, each of said nut-engaging portions having a flat lateral face parallel to the longitudinal axis of its respective one of said elongated members and an outwardly curved surface opposite to said flat lateral face, said nut-engaging portions on said upper elongated members projecting transversely upwardly therefrom, and said nut-engaging portions on said lower elongated member projecting transversely downwardly therefrom; whereby one of said nut-engaging portions may be inserted within a wheel hub wherein said outwardly curved surface contacts the inner surface of said hub and said flat lateral surface lies in contact with a side of a polygonal axle nut.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,175,902 3/1916 Peterson 61.8 1,390,463 9/1921 Scott.

2,341,375 2/1944 Harnbleton 8l-121 X 2,394,845 2/1946 Cothern 145-65 X 2,512,978 6/1950 Steinmann 8174 WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner.

JAMES L. JONES, JR., Examiner. 

1. A WRENCH FOR REMOVING A POLYGONAL AXLE NUT FROM AN AXLE LOCATED WITHIN A ROTATABLE WHEEL HUB COMPRISING: (A) A CONNECTOR BLOCK, (B) A PAIR OF MUTUALLY PERPENDICULAR ELONGATED MEMBERS SLIDABLY AND NON-ROTATABLY MOUNTED IN SAID CONNECTOR BLOCK, (C) NUT-ENGAGING PORTIONS AT BOTH ENDS OF EACH OF SAID ELONGATED MEMBERS, EACH OF SAID NUT-ENGAGING PORTIONS HAVING A FLAT LATERAL FACE PARALLEL TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF ITS RESPECTIVE ONE OF SAID ELONGATED MEMBERS, AND AN OUTWARDLY CURVED SURFACE OPPOSITE TO SAID FLAT LATERAL FACE, SAID CURVED SURFACE HAVING FOR ITS AXIS OF CURVATURE A LINE SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF ITS RESPECTIVE LONGITUDINAL MEMBER; WHEREBY ONE OF SAID NUT-ENGAGING PORTIONS MAY BE INSERTED WITHIN A WHEEL HUB WHEREIN SAID OUTWARDLY CURVED SURFACE CONTACTS THE INNER SURFACE OF SAID HUB AND SAID FLAT LATERAL FACE LIES ADJACENT TO A SIDE OF A POLYGONAL AXLE NUT. 